Hunting the Hunters
[3 Hostiles Detected.Estimated 5 Hostages.]
Starlio soared towards the truck he had been following for the past 10 minutes,his latest armor easily being able to move past the speed of sound and having three times the battery life,two times the armor integrity and five times the firepower than the first few armors he ever built.
The Model 15-[Garuda].
"Display infra red."Starlio commands,spotting the two human traffickers at the front of truck and one,at the back guarding five teenage girls around his age with a gun,ready to sell them off.Not a single one of those girls will have their freedoms taken away:Starlio tells himself,flying downwards from the sky and directly towards the back of the truck,firing a plasma shot that opened the trailer's door open,revealing himself to five terrified girls and an extremely shocked armed trafficker.
"Bloody shit!"The trafficker grabbed the AK-47 next to him but was already too slow as Starlio closed in the distance,launching himself forward and kicking the human trafficker against the trailer's walls,knocking him back painfully,bouncing right forward and carrying his own momentum into Starlio's armored fist,knocking him out.
The trafficker collapsed onto the ground as Starlio turned to the girls:"Stay put alright?I'll stop this truck."
The girls nod as Starlio jumped right back out onto the road,flying into the sky,targeting the trailer connector as Starlio flew towards it,drawing a heated blade from his wrist,slicing it apart and disconnecting the trailer with the rest of the truck.Starlio quickly caught the trailer,setting it down safely as the truck continued with it's journey shortly before realizing that they were traveling empty handed.
Starlio attended to the girls,using his blade to cut them loose and quickly guiding them out of the trailer:"Quick,get out."
[Truck Reversing.]
Starlio turned around to look at the road to see the truck,speeding towards them at full speed.With barely any fear in his heart,Starlio held his palm out:"Garuda Armor,Mountain Mode."
Parts within the armor began to click in place as the truck struck Starlio's arm at full speed,the massive vehicle completely powerless,crashing and denting itself like a crushed cardboard as Starlio stood his ground,not moving a muscle,stopping the vehicle entirely with little to no effort at all.The two trafficking driver themselves,shot out of the front of the truck's front windshield,hitting the bitumen road violently.
"Yea I don't know what the two of you were thinking doing that."Starlio says,giving each of them one good strike and knocking both men unconscious.
"Starlio...?"One of the girls walked up to him.
"Do you have your phones with you?"Starlio asks.
The girls slowly walked towards him,shaking their heads as Starlio took out his own phone,passing it to them:"Call the police.The nearest station isn't far so they should be arriving within minutes.Are you all alright?Any injuries?"
"No...we're okay."A girl replied.
Accompanying the girls,the police arrived shortly after,taking the three unconscious traffickers into their custody while scanning the area for evidence and bringing the five girls to the station back for investigation."That's the third one this month.How are you finding them?"An officer approached Starlio.
"Just look carefully.Literally 10 teenagers disappear every month around the country and there's always some weird looking behaviors in vehicles and men.Alright?"Starlio was still salty at the officers who just over a year ago,refused to listen to him.
"Hi,Starlio can we take a picture-"
"No."Starlio coldly rejects an officer as he walked towards the police station door,leaving the compound and using his HUD,assigned another successful trafficking bust,which further narrows down the area of the Chairman's activity.
It was only a matter of time now before the Chairman will be forced to make his move.
Over a year and a half had passed since the funeral of his mentor,Xavier Navarro.Javier,the lawyer brother of Xavier had sat Starlio down,explaining to him patiently the 106 paged will left behind by the multi millionaire.The company that Starlio had been recruited into,Navarro Industries is to be rebranded completely,to be a fresh start for Starlio to take over the company as it's CEO and owner,an inheritance that has now skyrocketed Starlio's wealth.
Starlio thought back on the recent trafficking busts using the brand new armors he had created,armors that are levels stronger than the ones he had used before and with them hopefully,make him strong enough to fight the forces of the Chairman.
[Incoming Call: Shan ^ v ^ ]
"Hello?"
"Five girls right?"Shannon Ray asks.
"Yea all of them were there.So that means the patterns we found are accurate."Starlio tells his girlfriend,who had spent months with him collecting evidence and tracking any trace or clue that might help them find the Chairman...and all of this without a single word of complain from her.They didn't even got to celebrate their anniversary a few months back due to fire that broke out in a nearby building that Starlio suited up to go help out in,something he still felt guilty about.
"Alright,come back first.You still have a presentation this evening don't forget about that."Shannon reminds Starlio who smirks:"Yea...almost forgot about that.Come on you get ready first,let's go for lunch."
Starlio landed on a lab facing Plex City's coastal area.The temporary lab for Stex Enterprises,over 300 employees and 3 groups of 15 scientists,each creating products that Stex Enterprises mass produced for the public at affordable prices,products that were mainly security based and some household products that is designed with the aim to improve the standard of life for people.
A company that was breaking 1 billion in sales every year.
"Hello Mr Stex,how's your day?"Shannon was waiting for him at the rooftop.
Her blonde hair was tied up in a ponytail as usual with a casual oversized hoodie and jeans,looking at him teasingly as Starlio landed in front of her,deploying his helmet back as he smiled:"Really productive surprisingly.So,what shall we eat for lunch?"
Shannon smiled,giving him a kiss:"I'm feeling some Steak."
"Let's go."
The couple headed downstairs,meeting Javier Navarro who was munching down on a Subway Sandwich on a bench in the building."Hey Starlio!"Javier called out.
"Ello."Shannon waved back first."Hm?"Starlio asks.
"How's the Virgo?"Javier asks.
"Whoa...I didn't even announce the name of the project yet."Starlio smiled."Come on Starlio, you're building a gigantic futuristic man made island using our company name as it's grounds and as Stex Enterprises' official legal consultant of course I will know about the name of the island quick."Javier says.
"Well yea...I bought the soil and stone for the foundations already.The steel is on the way as well and construction should be starting...this week actually."Starlio informs the lawyer.
"Make sure you invite me to the opening.Enjoy your date by the way I didn't mean to interrupt.Just make sure you don't come late to the announcement later."Javier reminds Starlio who gave him a bro fist:"Nah of course I'll invite you.You didn't interrupt us don't worry about it."
"Bui bui."Shannon waved to Javier who waved back as the couple head out for lunch.
-
Olympus Steakhouse.
South of Plex City.
"That's...almost a hundred million dollars worth of reclaimed land.Holy shit."Shannon looks at the data on her phone on information regarding the Virgo Project.
A man-made island spanning over 200,000 square meters with the purpose of serving as an estate for Starlio and his closest allies while acting as the working grounds for the headquarters of Stex Enterprises and it's workers.
Within the middle of the Virgo,Stex Tower.A 50 level building with state of the art facilities and a penthouse that Starlio plans to make into his home.Along with the Stex Tower,two more smaller building beside it acting as a factory and a dormitory for his workers respectively.In addition many state of the art facilities like a golf course,helicopter pads,a dog park,horse stable,an entire boating dock,restaurants and bars will all be within the premises of the Virgo,making it almost identical to a resort.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
"How safe will it be...?I mean..."Shannon asks when Starlio simply grabbed the phone from her,swiping it towards the planned security data and showed them to Shannon.
Upon looking at her eyes widen in amazement,Starlio smiled,knowing that he could feel her feel safe.Shannon scanned through the list:Aquatic cannons,plasma turrets that surrounded the perimeter of the island along several installed to the side of the buildings,anti air missiles ready to be launched at any given moment,a security team armed with state of the art weapons and most impressively,an island wide force field that will be online round the clock.
"Yea I guess we will be pretty safe if this project of yours come into fruition."Shannon tells Starlio when a waiter arrived with both their steaks and milkshakes.
"If more of a when than if."Starlio confirms,sipping on his drink before tipping the waiter a hundred dollars.
"But this project....how much will it cost?Are you sure we can afford that?"Shannon looks at Starlio who leaned back:"For the longest time I thought it was impossible too.But...my mom actually sat me down and we went through all the finances together.It's more than possible...I mean yes it's a billion dollar project but when the Virgo is completed I don't have to worry about keeping you all safe as much as I have to now."Starlio tells her.
Shannon gave him a smirk:"Well,toast to the Virgo."
"To a home."Starlio raised his glass with hers.
4 Hours Later.
Dakota found herself laughing at an extremely nervous Starlio Stex,who was breathing heavily at the backstage of the first Stex Enterprises media event."Bro why are you so nervous hahahaha come on man you gotta relax!"Dakota teases him.
"Come on...I'm...not used to giving speeches."Starlio faced a wall,standing completely still.
"Okay okay try this...just clear your mind.Do not think about anything...maybe in a way...just hold your breath and think about absolutely nothing.Be cold if you need to.I hope this is good advice since it works for me but...yea."Dakota tells Starlio who nods:"I...alright I'll try."
Introducing the CEO of Stex Enterprises,Starlio Stex.
Thousands of people within the convention room clapped as 16 year old Starlio Stex walked onto stage,dressed in a formal business suit with his hair neatly combed up,facing down the millions of people who were also watching from their homes about him,the youngest going to be billionaire in the world.
Right now.He had a promise to deliver.
"Hello..."Starlio whispered into the microphone.
"Hi."Dozens of reporters responded humorously as giggles began emerging on the crowd. "Okay...now as announced last month,Stex Enterprises has promised to release a new product."Starlio began his speech to the public,reporters began snapping pictures of him as Starlio clicked on a button of his remote that controlled the gigantic screen behind him,instantly displaying a futuristic like animation with the Stex Enterprises logo before showing a bracelet like device on screen.
"Simple name.The Wrist Shield."Starlio says as a short clip of the device's function began playing.
An animation played,showing a touch screen display on the Wrist Shield and when pressed,the wrist shield expands,pieces unlocking and moving in place before deploying a glowing blue shield with honeycomb like patterns the size of a riot shield acting just like a hard like construction.
The crowd gasped in astonishment as Starlio began:"Completely bulletproof to most types of bullets,the Wrist Shield projects pure and clean plasma energy created within Stex Enterprises to create a form of electromagnetic radiation,allowing it to create...in a sense solid energy.Able to last up to an hour when fully charged,The Wrist Watch is able to be charged with your typical android or apple cables."Starlio says to the crowd with began clapping rapidly.
"How much will it be sold?"A reporter raised his hand,asking.
"Two types of models will be sold.The Deluxe Version which the one I just announced at 90 dollars.It however needs to be recharged with plasma at any Stex Enterprises branch every 6 months.The Master Version will be at a 150 dollars,which is slightly bigger than a riot shield,covering two people as well as only needing recharge in 10 months at Stex Enterprises branches.So...not the cheapest but for what's it's worth,life saving at an affordable price.A 1000 models will be produced next week that will be donated to the Plex City Police Force and will be available to the public by the next month."
The crowd clapped as his A.I notified him through his earphone.
[Perimeter Breach.]
What?Starlio looked around when the wall of the convention exploded.Reporters screamed and began running away from the hole in the wall.Smoke slowly spreading towards the main room as Starlio quickly tapped on his custom watch,summoning the Model 15 to his location.
"There!"Several gunmen stormed into the scene,pointing their rifles at Starlio.
"SHIELD!"Starlio activated his own version of the Wrist Shield,a glowing blue honeycomb pattern emerging like a hard light construct from his bracelet as bullets shot towards him,deflecting against the Wrist Shield which greatly confused the gunmen.
[Model 15 reaching in 5...4....3...2...]
Starlio jumped off the stage,leaping into the air as the Garuda Armor caught him,surrounding it's panels and parts around the prodigy and suiting him up in seconds.Starlio swooped towards the gunmen,determined to keep their attention on him which worked,naturally with anyone who is facing an angry genius in a powerful war armor charging at them.
Bullets bounced off the armor harmlessly as Starlio fired a blast that struck the first gunman down before another charged at him,his rifle transforming into a staff that radiated energy."New weapons?"Starlio observed as the man spun the staff skillfully,smacking Starlio right across the helmet with surprising force.
[1,700 N of Force Detected.Superhuman Strength is probable.]
"Don't make this prolonging kid."The gunmen all transformed their rifle into staffs as Starlio looked around himself.It's very likely each and every one of them had the strength enhancing Ironblood drug within them.
"Stand down.Or none of you will leave here alive."Starlio warns as an energy blade popped out from each of his wrist,using the same technology as Titus' heated sword.
The attackers charged as Starlio ducked right under one of them,slashing his blade across the first attacker's spine before flying into the air,landing behind another attacker who spun around right into Starlio kick,sending the attacker flying into the stage and breaking into the foundational structure within
The three remaining attacks looked at each other nervously.
"One more chance."Starlio warns.
"CHARGE!"One of the attacker roared as all three of them sprinted towards him at full speed,which Starlio easily reacted to them,dodging and weaving his way through the staff attacks,launching himself forward and thrusting one of his blade through the chest of an attacker,throwing the corpse towards another and focusing his efforts onto a terrified attacker who swung wildly and managing to land a hit on him,slightly denting his shoulder pad.
"Good try."Starlio jumped forward,forcing the attacker to fall back before firing a tiny missile from his shoulder that struck the attacker,blowing his arm apart and collapsing onto the ground in pain.
Without hesitation,Starlio activated his blaster,pointing it at the last attacker and shooting him down.
"Is everyone okay?"Starlio called out to the crowd,which had mostly distanced themselves from him and the attackers.
Starlio could see the nods within the reporters when flashes of cameras began shooting at him.The teenager could already picture the headlines of the next few days:Starlio Stex saves convention reporters from a group of gunmen!Or if things were not in his favor:Stex Enterprises convention attacked!How will Starlio Stex,CEO be responsible?
I don't even give a shit anymore at this point.Starlio tells himself.
"Starlio?Are you okay?"Dakota found him.
"I'm alright.Is the police notified?"Starlio asks Dakota who nods:" Yea they should be here any minute."
"They are getting more and more daring.I have to find them soon before they get more ballsy the next time around.We are just lucky that no one innocent got hurt now."Starlio turns to Dakota when his phone rang,a barrage of incoming messages and calls flooded his phone.Before he could react,Shannon Ray found him,running towards him at top speed and throwing herself to him,giving him a hug.
"Okay...you're alright right?"Shannon was clearly out of breath.
"Yeah...I'm more than okay.How far did you run?"
"Across the entire convention....I need a drink."Shannon caught herself."Okay...we can all agree that this is a long day already...I think you two should scooch out of here before more media and authorities arrive.I should be able to handle this by myself so...yep."Dakota offers to an extremely grateful Starlio:"You're a godsend Dakota."
"Give me a raise!"Dakota smiled.
"You're COO you're earning a lot already!But okay."
Starlio grabbed Shannon's hand,knowing that the media would definitely turn their attention onto her as well if they stayed to long.The couple walked out of the convention towards the back door where their security blocked out the reporters.
"Next time...please.I think we should be more apart in front of the public media."Starlio tells her.
"I-Yea I mean...of course."Shannon sounded uncertain.
"Shannon,hey Shan."Starlio grabbed her by her shoulders,looking into her eyes:"The media and outside world can be ruthless.All the bad things they say about me...they might do that to you do.I don't want you to go through all that alright?It's not that I'm not proud of you to be my girlfriend,but the media is nothing more than unwanted attention to me.Okie?"Starlio brushes her hair as she nods subtly.
"Your phone...that's a ton of calls."Shannon noticed as an unknown number called him.
"Yea I don't really care about-"
"Pick it up Star.It might be important."
Starlio took his phone out,answering the call."Hello?"Starlio started as he heard a familiar voice on the other end of the call:"Starlio...I know I'm not the person you want to hear right now...but I have information.I know where the Chairman is.I want to end this."Mason Stex,his father says.
"Yea no."Starlio was about to hang up the call when Shannon stopped him.
"We've been hunting that jerk for months and nothing.Hear him out first."Shannon whispers to Starlio who moved the phone back towards his voice:"Speak.Quickly."
"Let's meet.You choose the location.You can come fully armed."Mason sounded sincere.
Shannon and Starlio both shared a cautious look."Your armor can handle a ton of stuff these days right?We aren't as weak as we were before.Maybe...maybe he just wants to be a good father,finally."Shannon tells him.
"I hope so."
"Alright.Let's meet.Any funny business and I will have to hurt you."Starlio answers.
Next Chapter- The Family Name